Posted 02-23-2004 at 19:01:59
[Reply] [No Email]Tuesday, I start jury duty. Local Petit Jury, I dread this as it will probably be neighbors and such. Last time it was District Court, and I caved in to the other jurors...I have felt extreme guilt ever since. Pray for me to have strength of my convictions (no pun intended!) this time. My other jury duty was Federal, and all cases were plea bargained and never went to trial. I am the only person I know to have been called to duty THREE times! Isn't that a little unusual? How did you all feel about having the responsibility of changing someone's life in your hands?

Alias

Posted 02-24-2004 at 10:21:06
[Reply] [No Email]My neice was called to jury duty a few years ago. When she was asked if she had any prejudices that would hinder her from rendering a just verdict, her response nearly got her thrown in jail for contempt. Here's what she said to the judge, "Yes, I'm prejudiced against Long Haired Hippy Freaks, Homosuxals, Lesbands, and Low Lifes of all color, creed, and natural origan.

She was excused from duty and has not, as yet, been recalled. Of course, my personal view is that only people with a real sense of justice should serve. .........gfp

Piglet Pincher

Posted 02-24-2004 at 06:11:42
[Reply] [No Email]I live in KY. You only have to do jury duty once every 2 years.

I did grand jury this past summer, it was a breeze. I was the jury foreman, we were only there 3 days.

No, I didn't mind the responsibility. I figured it might as well be me as anyone else, at least I knew that I was going to stick to my guns and not cave.

When I didn't think someone needed to be indicted, I didn't vote but it didn't matter because all they needed were nine votes and they always had more.

Still I came away with a clear conscience.

Fern(Mi)

Posted 02-24-2004 at 06:01:04
[Reply] [No Email]I've been called upon for court duty, on the other side of the rail.Are You getting help making this repeated activity a hobby? Say hello to the judge for me.

REt

Posted 02-24-2004 at 05:31:53
[Reply] [No Email] here in VA, if you are 70 or older, you don't have to serve. Good idea too, we are all opinionated by the time we get that old REt

I was on a regular panel of the Petit Jury, back in '78, for 3 months. Every other Tuesday, I had to sit for Voire Dire. I Got picked 6 times. And, Picked as foreman, 6 times. We Had 6 guilty verdicts, on everything, from rape to robbing a poorbox, in a church to Criminal confinement. We have one young thug 144 years.I've been call 7 times since then. And,The defense ALWAYS throws me out. I Can't figure out why.

'Til later..........Old John

Jessie

Posted 02-24-2004 at 05:05:47
[Reply][Send Email]Sir, most lawyers and d/a's keep a card file on prior jurors and verdicts rendered. A reference into how people have made decisions and those decisions with respect to the crimes and defendants. If a defense attorney has a reference where you had sentenced someone to 144 years I don't think that they would want you to sit on their jury. On the other hand I would think the d/a would like to have you. I guess it's up to the number of strikes the defense has.

Jessie

Posted 02-24-2004 at 04:49:54
[Reply][Send Email]How do you feel about changing someones life? Well, how did the defendant feel about that? Is he/she guilty? What is the crime? Say a person burglarizes your home and takes or destroys some of your cherished posessions. The police did an excelleant job and compiled a large amount of evidence, put him in jail and brought him into court on the charges. Would you want a juror to convict him or not? Fact is the criminal changed his life not the jury or judge. He is responsible for his actions and noone should ever consider serving on a jury or convicting a criminal something other than what it is and that is serving your community in the best capacity that one can. Oh by the way, if the defendant comes into court thumping the bible in his hand you can bet he's guilty. That's usually a sign that all is lost and his actions have left him no other place to turn. The last thread of hope.

Burrhead

Posted 02-23-2004 at 21:46:28
[Reply] [No Email]I get called about twice ever year.

When I have to go to JP jury I always hold out for innocent on all speeding tickets and the tickets against big trucks from the troopers for overloads or permits.

If wetbacks can come across the border with no jail time or monetary fines if caught I don't see why truckers can't come in from another state and not have to pay.

Burlgoat

Posted 02-24-2004 at 02:39:57
[Reply] [No Email]Hey BurrheadI'm with you on the wetbacks and truckers.I was called for jury duty and had more fun just listening to the excuses people used to get out of serving.One was a doctor complaining about how long it was taking to select the jury the Judge told him to stop complaining that everyone had to wait in a doctors office for 2 to 3 hours so have a taste of your own medicene.I almost fell out of the chair laughing.Come on up to Fairfield sometime we'll have lunch or coffee I'm buying.

Burrhead

Posted 02-24-2004 at 09:57:51
[Reply] [No Email]sounds good to me. If ye get down this way just holler. We'll pass out Jette Jatson or Al Sharpdude bumpersnickers.

Michael M

Posted 02-23-2004 at 21:45:02
[Reply] [No Email]I was called last year for a murder trial. It was right when my VP had gone chronic, and I was on narcotics for the constant pain. Even after I explained to the defense attorney that I didn't trust my judgement on important issues under the influence of the medication, he still wanted to keep me. I finally said,"Well, and to be honest with you, I think your client did it..."They let me go homeHe was convicted, I was right, he did do it.

BOSS

Posted 02-23-2004 at 19:22:12
[Reply] [No Email]I have been called 3 times and got out 3 times. with 2 letters written from my old boss and then 1 letter written by myself explaining that my company would fold and my employees would be unemployeed if I had to do jury duty.

They revamped our jury duty since then. Seems that only white middle aged males were being called upon to do jury duty.

~Lenore

Posted 02-23-2004 at 19:34:59
[Reply] [No Email]I have been summoned 3 times but never chosen.I can not imagine why. ;-)